Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

Adorable ‘Just Married’ signs to announce your marriage

September 25, 2020 No Comments

It’s a time-honoured tradition to display your new relationship status on the getaway car on your big day. Passersby rejoice at the familiar sight of the ‘Just married’ sign trailing tin cans or colourful ribbons in its wake as your car heads from the ceremony to the reception.

Why limit yourself to just your car? You can announce your marriage on pretty much anything you’d like. Go as big, or as small, as you’d like, it’s your day!

Modern couples have taken to creating custom pieces they can keep forever to let the world know they’ve tied the knot. From custom leather jackets, parasols or even a neon sign to light up the night, anything goes. We love that these alternative items can be preserved for decades and act as a special tangible memory to look back on as the years go by.

Here are some traditional and trendy ideas to be inspired by:

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Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Planning a destination wedding in lockdown?

September 25, 2020 No Comments

International travel is back on the cards! Now that South Africa has shifted to lockdown Level 1, our borders will reopen to visitors from October 1.

With this, couples now have the option to once again host a destination wedding in another country. Of course, this comes with its own difficulties as other countries also have lockdown measures in place. Here is what to keep in mind:

Travel restrictions:

Only three airports are open for international travel in the country: OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airport. There are 18 land borders open to the public, and the other 35 will remain closed. Every flight, bus, cruise and train ride carries with them a risk of further transmission. Thus, there will be strict protocols implemented to limit the risk.

While the borders are open, not every country is accessible. All travellers from the African continent and from countries outside the African continent with a low rate of infections and transmission may travel to and from South Africa, subject to them having a health clearance certificate and the directions by the relevant ministers.

In the event of the traveler’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveler will be required to quarantine at his or her own costs.

To temporarily control entry into the Republic from countries outside the African Continent, the relevant Cabinet members shall, after consultation with the Cabinet member responsible for health, determine in directions

– criteria for controlling entry into the Republic, from such countries with a high COVID -19 infection and transmission rate;

– the list of such countries with a high COVID -19 infection and transmission rate, which may, from time to time, be amended.

Countries with high infection rates will not be allowed to enter until their infections come under control.

Visa applications will reopen and long-term visas will be re-established from October 1.

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In Fashion

Kim Kardashian launches SKIMS bridal shapewear

September 25, 2020 No Comments

Kim Kardashian is entering the wedding world! The mogul just expanded her coveted shapewear brand SKIMS to include something new for brides.

The SKIMS bridal collection features their popular solutionwear styles like bodysuits, briefs, bralettes and more to wear underneath your dress for a seamless finish. All pieces come in soft blue.

“From something silky to something blue: we’ve got you covered with our most loved Solutionwear styles in a new soft blue color and a limited edition, embroidered silk robe,” they explain on their Instagram page.

Sizes range from XXS to 5x, and the line launches Firday, September 25 on the SKIMS website.

Take a look at the collection:

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Feature image: Instagram / SKIMS

In Celebs

Victoria’s Secret model Jasmine Tookes is engaged

September 25, 2020 No Comments

Model Jasmine Tookes and director of international markets at Snapchat Juan David Borrero are engaged! The couple, who have been together for four years, took their relationship to the next level on September 21.

Borrero took Tookes on a surprise trip to pop the question.

“It was a complete surprise!” Tookes told Vogue. “I woke up at 9:00 a.m. to go about my regular day of meetings with JOJA [the health and fitness Instagram account she shares with fellow model Josephine Skriver]. After the meeting, he came downstairs to tell me to pack my bags for a surprise trip that we were leaving for in two hours.”

In the car, Borrero blindfolded Tookes and took her to the place they first met, Rose Cafe in Venice, California. Next up, they headed to the airport to board a plane to Page, Arizona.

“He knows me so well that he had Popeye’s catered—I was in heaven!—so we ate chicken tenders and drank champagne until we landed in Page, Arizona. Then we hopped on a helicopter which flew us to the most beautiful, otherworldly-like secluded place in the middle of the desert rocks in Utah. It was just us.”

A table decked out with champagne and a charcuterie board awaited the couple, which they feasted on before Borrero lead Tookes to a lookout point.

“Shortly after that, he escorted me to a lookout above where we were sitting and on the ground was a bunch of rocks which spelled out WYMM? At first glance, I didn’t know what this meant, but it immediately dawned on me that it meant ‘Will you marry me?’”

A drone flying overhead delivered the ring in a black pouch. Of course, she said yes!

“I was in complete disbelief and immediately burst into tears because this was something I did not expect. After lots of happy tears, I obviously said yes, and this was honestly the best day I could’ve ever imagined. We are very excited and looking forward to a future filled with lots of love and happiness.”

Feature image: Instagram / Jasmine Tookes

In Advice

What is a prenup and do you need one?

September 23, 2020 No Comments

In the time leading up to your big day, there are so many moving parts as you plan the wedding of your dreams. Often, the last thing on the mind is the nitty-gritty details of the marriage contract you are about to enter into.

While it’s not the most fun topic, it is important to think about the legal and financial ramifications of your impending nuptials. Some couples choose to enter into a prenuptial agreement, a legal contract that determines the financial rights of each spouse if a divorce or death were to take place. A prenuptial agreement eliminates a battle over assets in the event of death of divorce.

Some may think its a bit negative to think about divorce before you’ve even gotten married. However, it is the practical option, especially if both spouses are financially well off on their own and have important assets they want to protect. Maybe you have an important family heirloom you don’t want to part ways with, a massive inheritance or want to ensure your family or children get certain assets in the event of a divorce or death.

While most people believe a prenup is only for the rich, it is becoming increasingly popular among the middle-class. People who have children from a prior relationship may sign one to ensure property and funding is passed to the child in the event of their death.

A prenup is also helpful to protect spouses from assuming their partner’s debt, which happens if you marry in community of property. If you know you have tons of student loans and don’t want to dump it on your partner in the event of your death, a prenup will protect them.

That being said, a prenuptial agreement is not for everyone. If you don’t have assets you need to protect, you can simply skip this step. Couples who do not sign this agreement automatically marry in community of property, as per South African law. Through this, you share your estate and in the event of divorce, everything is split equally.

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In News

Increase in wedding bookings after Level 1 was announced

September 23, 2020 No Comments

South Africa is officially in Level 1 of the nationwide lockdown, bringing a further easing of restrictions. This shift has inspired a greater interest in wedding bookings.

While weddings have been allowed since Level 2, the restrictions on public gatherings meant that only 50 people may attend. Under Level 1, a maximum of 250 people are allowed at an indoor venue, and 500 for an outdoor venue as long as a 1.5metre distance can still be applied.

The wedding industry has experienced a spike in bookings from couples looking to still tie the knot this year. According to EWN, many couples have booked venues to host their weddings in the last few months of the year.

“You finding a lot of last-minute people who are taking advantage of level lockdown regulations,” explained wedding specialist Khali de Villiers.

Many venues and vendors will be offering specials as the industry opens up, enticing more and more couples to place a booking.

All weddings will be under strict health and safety regulations, and guests will be required to wear masks at all times unless eating or drinking.

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In Celebs

Food Network star Ree Drummond shares new image from 1996 wedding

September 22, 2020 No Comments

It’s been 24 years since Food Network’s Ree Drummond aka the Pioneer Woman, married husband Ladd. Over two decades, later, the couple have four kids, a ranch and an empire.

The pair married on September 21, 1996 and Ree recently took to social media to share a never-before-seen image from their special day in honour of their 24th wedding anniversary.

‘I never got around to ordering my wedding photos. I’m an enneagram 7 like that. Anyway, I found this snapshot last week because Alex wanted to see my dress. It had a corset tie in the back with a little bunch of silk flowers at the waist. All business on the front, though. ? I love you, Ladd Drummond! Happy anniversary, and thank you for getting me pregnant within a week of this photo being taken,” the chef wrote on Instagram.

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Ree and Ladd met during a girls night at a bar in her hometown, according to The Pioneer Woman’s website.

“When Ree headed out for a casual girls’ night in her hometown, her expectations were low,” it said. “She had just moved back from Los Angeles and was making a pit stop in her hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for a few months before moving to Chicago. Desperate for a fun time with old friends, Ree agreed to meet her childhood buddies at a local dive (and didn’t even bother to put on eyeliner before rushing out the door!). The only thing on her mind was a much-needed glass of chardonnay.”

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They locked eyes at the bar and have been together ever since. They now share four children: Alex (23) , Paige (21) , Bryce (18) and Todd (16). Their eldest daughter Alex recently got engaged.

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Feature image: Instagram/Ree Drummond

In Emotional

Bride drives over 300km to show off wedding dress to grandad

September 22, 2020 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced families apart as a form of protection. As life goes on, we miss more and more important milestones to the virus. However, this bride was determined to have her beloved grandfather see her in her wedding dress and put the pedal to the metal to make sure he did.

UK couple Alex Pearce and her new husband Philip married on August 29 in a micro-wedding with only 30 guests in attendance and in line with coronavirus restrictions. One of her most important family members, grandfather Graham Burley (87) unfortunately could not attend as it was too high-risk.

So Alex and Philip recently set off on a three-hour, 200 mile (321.869km) road trip to Hampshire to surprise her grandfather at his care home. They wore their wedding gear to relive their special day with Burley.

Upon arrival at the care home, the pair had their temperatures checked before sitting behind a clear screen and and toasting to their big day with the grandfather. Champagne and a slice of cake was on hand for their impromptu celebration.

“When we turned up at the care home it was a complete surprise for grandad, but obviously the staff knew about it. He burst into tears as soon as he saw us. It was incredibly special to visit him,” Alex told Metro UK.

Mr Burley added: “It was very emotional and I did shed a few tears. ‘It meant so much to get to see Alex in the beautiful white wedding dress she wore on her special day.’”

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Snack bar ideas for your guests to enjoy

September 18, 2020 No Comments

If you’ve ever been a guest a wedding, you’ll know there’s a weird waiting period between the wedding ceremony and the reception. While the bride and groom are take photos, the guests make their way to the reception venue and hang around until the bridal party arrives.

To make this period a little more fun, why not have a snack bar for you guests to indulge in? That will take care of that slight rumble in their tummy. It also gives them the opportunity to interact with each other at the same time.

To keep the hunger at bay, delight your guests with a snack bar. Here are some cool ideas.

Movie theatre popcorn

Popcorn is easy to snack on and you can make tons of it at once. You can even offer various flavours, from caramel corn to butter and icing sugar. Make sure to offer your guests tons of toppings and sides, like Astros, mini chocolates and nuts to mix in their bags.

Sophisticated seafood

Oysters are chic and sophisticated. Have them displayed with some lemons and lime, and of course some sauce to pair. If you want to be even more extravagant, have some champagne on hand to pair them with.

Donut wall:

Donut mind if we dig into this station! Donut walls have been trending in the wedding world for years. It doubles up as a snack station and a visual attraction.

Candy station

Get your sweet on with a colourful candy station. Incorporate all your favourite sweets and throw in some sour candies for balance.

Ice cream bar

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Buy a few of your favourite ice cream lollies in bulk and keep them cold in a cooler box, or have tubs and cones ready for your guests to help themselves. This is perfect for a summer wedding, when your guests will be desperate for something to cool them down.

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Banging decor for a beach wedding

September 18, 2020 No Comments

A beach wedding is the quintessential summer event. The sound of the waves gently lapping on the shore and the feeling of sand in between your toes is enough to soothe anyone’s senses.

With such a beautiful backdrop, there isn’t that much you need to do to dress your venue. A few tables, flowers and umbrellas for shade are all you need.

If you want to add that extra flair, there are so many fun and vibrant styling ideas that are guaranteed to wow your guests. Think chandeliers, modern arches and boho-inspired lanterns.

If you’re struggling to visualise, don’t fear. We’ve got some amazing inspiration:

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